Abstract

In recent years, farmer-led irrigation development has gained the interest of development partners and governments in the Global South following its success in enhancing agricultural production and livelihoods in South Asia. However, little is known about the socio-economic situation of farmers who receive public support for its expansion. Considering its rapid expansion in sub-Saharan Africa, we take the case of Ethiopia and explore the relationship between irrigation suitability and farmers’ socio-economic status. We find that high-value crop producers and wealthier farmers are most likely to make private investments and also benefit from public support in farmer-led irrigation expansion if investments are directed to land areas highly suitable for irrigation. Cultivation of high-value crops (fruit, vegetables) was common in areas more suitable for irrigation but staple crop cultivation (cereals, legumes) was negatively associated with irrigation suitability. Wealth status (consumption expenditure, asset index, and land size) was also positively correlated with irrigation suitability. A 10 per cent increase in groundwater irrigation suitability score was associated with a 2 per cent increase in per-capita consumption expenditure. Results imply that policies aiming to facilitate farmer-led irrigation development should combine biophysical information on land and water suitability for irrigation with household socio-economic characteristics and existing agricultural systems.

摘要

近年来，以农民为主导的灌溉发展在提高南亚农业生产和生计方面取得了成功，引起了全球南方发展伙伴和政府的兴趣。然而，对于因扩张而获得公众支持的农民的社会经济状况知之甚少。考虑到其在撒哈拉以南非洲的快速扩张，我们以埃塞俄比亚为例，探讨灌溉适宜性与农民社会经济地位之间的关系。我们发现，如果投资针对高度适合灌溉的土地区域，高价值作物生产者和较富裕的农民最有可能进行私人投资，并从农民主导的灌溉扩张的公共支持中受益。种植高价值作物（水果、蔬菜）在更适合灌溉的地区很常见，但主要作物种植（谷物、豆类）与灌溉适宜性呈负相关。财富状况（消费支出、资产指数和土地面积）也与灌溉适宜性呈正相关。地下水灌溉适宜性得分增加 10% 与人均消费支出增加 2% 相关。结果表明，旨在促进以农民为主导的灌溉发展的政策应将土地和水资源适宜灌溉的生物物理信息与家庭社会经济特征和现有农业系统结合起来。和土地大小）也与灌溉适宜性呈正相关。地下水灌溉适宜性得分增加 10% 与人均消费支出增加 2% 相关。结果表明，旨在促进以农民为主导的灌溉发展的政策应将土地和水适宜灌溉的生物物理信息与家庭社会经济特征和现有农业系统结合起来。和土地大小）也与灌溉适宜性呈正相关。地下水灌溉适宜性得分增加 10% 与人均消费支出增加 2% 相关。结果表明，旨在促进以农民为主导的灌溉发展的政策应将土地和水适宜灌溉的生物物理信息与家庭社会经济特征和现有农业系统结合起来。